I Am Spirit (Elementals Series)

By Hannah Howley

Review: I Am Spirit (Elementals Series) by Hannah Howley

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Overview

I Am Spirit, the third installment in Hannah Howley's Elementals series, delves deeper into the complex world of elemental magic and the personal journeys of its characters. Building upon the foundation laid in the previous books, this installment focuses on the themes of acceptance, destiny, and the power of self-discovery. It continues the saga of Maeve, a young woman grappling with her own unique elemental abilities and the responsibilities that come with them.

Summary

Plot Progression

• Following the Events of Previous Books: The narrative picks up after the climactic events of book two, leaving Maeve and her companions facing new challenges and uncertainties.
• Maeve's Spiritual Journey: This book places significant emphasis on Maeve's internal struggles as she grapples with the spiritual implications of her connection to the spirit element. It's less about external conflict and more about internal growth and acceptance.
• The Gathering of Elementals: A larger gathering of elementals is introduced, both allies and potential threats, further expanding the world and the conflicts at stake. Political intrigue amongst these elementals becomes a growing concern.
• Exploring New Magical Concepts: The magic system of the series is explored in more detail, introducing new aspects of spirit magic and its relation to the other elements. Readers get a deeper understanding of the limitations and potential of each element.
• Developing Relationships: Existing relationships deepen and new connections are forged, impacting the main characters’ personal lives and influencing the larger plot. Romantic subplots and friendships continue to evolve.
• Preparation for Future Conflicts: The story lays the groundwork for future confrontations, leaving readers eager for the next book in the series. The overall direction of the series becomes clearer with several pieces being put into place.

Key Characters

• Maeve: The protagonist, dealing with the immense responsibility of her powers and finding her place within the larger elemental world. This installment focuses on her internal spiritual struggles.
• Secondary Characters: Many familiar faces from the previous books return, each with their own arcs and contributions to the overall storyline. Their relationships with Maeve and each other continue to be significant.
• New Characters: Several new elementals are introduced, adding complexity to the existing dynamic and posing potential challenges to Maeve and her allies. Their introductions bring a fresh perspective to the narrative.

Detailed Review

Strengths

• Character Development: Howley excels at crafting characters that feel authentic and relatable. Maeve's internal journey is particularly compelling, and the reader genuinely cares about her growth.
• World-Building: The world continues to expand in a natural way, introducing new locations, magical concepts, and political nuances that enrich the narrative. The elemental system feels well thought out and consistent.
• Pacing and Plot: While this book is more internally focused, the pacing is still engaging, and the plot provides enough twists and turns to keep the reader invested.
• Exploration of Themes: The book successfully tackles complex themes such as acceptance, self-discovery, and the burden of responsibility in a way that resonates with the reader.
• Magical System: The exploration of spirit magic adds a new layer to the existing magical system of the series, offering fresh and interesting possibilities.

Weaknesses

• Slow Pacing (at times): The focus on character development and internal struggles occasionally slows down the overall pace of the book, which may not appeal to readers seeking high-action fantasy.
• Limited External Conflict: Compared to the previous books, the external conflict is less prominent, which might disappoint readers who prefer action-driven plots.
• Some Plot Threads Feel Underdeveloped: While many aspects are explored in detail, some potential plot threads seem to be left unresolved or underdeveloped, likely for future books.

Overall Assessment

I Am Spirit is a compelling continuation of the Elementals series, showcasing Hannah Howley's skill in developing nuanced characters and crafting a rich and intriguing world. While the book prioritizes character development and internal struggles over large-scale conflicts, it successfully advances the overall plot and sets the stage for future installments. Readers who appreciate character-driven fantasy with a strong emphasis on personal growth will find this book particularly rewarding. Those looking for fast-paced action may need to be patient, but the payoff in character development and world-building is well worth it.

Rating

4 out of 5 stars.

Buy the book here.